News Release
| Release Number: | 99-091 |
| Dated: | 10/14/1999 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. – Routine inspections, periodic maintenance and bridge repairs will close the Willamette Falls Locks near West Linn, Ore., for three days next week.
Lock operators will close the locks for one day on Wednesday, Oct. 20, for routine inspections and maintenance. The locks will close for two more days beginning Friday, Oct. 22, so workers can complete repairs to the access bridge that crosses over the locks.
The two jobs cannot take place at the same time because inspectors need to de-water the lock chambers for the work Wednesday, and repair crews need the chambers full of water for their work Friday and Saturday.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the locks.
On Oct. 7, a chain used when opening and closing a small drawbridge across the locks broke – essentially closing the locks to river traffic. Temporary repairs were completed the next day.
Only smaller boats that could float under the bridge were allowed passage through the lock system until these repairs were completed, said Iram Mendez, senior lock operator.
The West Linn Paper Mill, owners of the bridge, asked the Corps to close the locks so repairs could be completed, said Mendez.
The mill has an agreement with the Corps to operate the single-span drawbridge across one of the lock chambers to allow workers and equipment access to the mill, which is located on an island adjacent to the locks. The island was created when the locks were constructed in the late-1800s.
The bridge is normally in the down position, except when the Corps needs the bridge raised to move boats between lock chambers.
The locks are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.